Summer "Bucket List"- what's on yours?

BEACH "bucket list"

This year, we made it official.  Each kid brainstormed a few places they wanted to go, things they wanted to do, and what they wanted to learn more about this summer.  They all wrote them down in a notebook, and this now officially serves as our summer "bucket list."  As in beach bucket, NOT kick the bucket.

Sporty wants to go to California.  To say that's a long shot is an understatement.  But he also wants to go to Washington D.C.  Now that, I think we can swing.  He wants to hit some amusement parks and learn more about electronics, specifically Apple computers.  Really, I think he wants to OWN Apple computers, but he's playing his hand well, pretending it's all about learning something new.

Mrs. Harry Potter wants to go to Dutch Wonderland and the beach, exercise every morning,  and learn how to babysit and draw trees.  She's also been very inspired by the American Girl Addy series, so she wants to explore local history around the Underground Railroad.  


Luke Skywalker hopes to study sharks, learn to swim (great combination, eh?) and learn how to manage his feelings (yes, HE volunteered that, not me).  He also wants to go to Chuck E. Cheese (though we have them all convinced that you can ONLY ever go there for friends' birthday parties... hopefully someone will invite us there).  


The Heiress aspires to visit the Big Apple, go on a sliding board, learn about frogs and how to write more letters.  A tall order for such a wee one, but I think we can work something out.


I have to say, as corny as it sounds, it was fun to actually sit down and ask them what they wanted to do this summer.  They definitely came up with ideas I wouldn't have considered.  It's also a pretty good start list!  

End of Summer... Labor Day Weekend Bucket List

So it's really the end of the summer for any of us whose lives revolve around the school year.  But there's still one last hurrah of a long weekend to make sure you packed all those childhood favorites in.  For us, we have many "must dos" in a summer.  Here's our summer "bucket list" (though the only buckets we "kicked" were beach buckets)....

1. Swim in the ocean and the pool... check!
2. Catch fireflies... check!
3. Make popsicles and watch them melt on the sidewalk...  check!
4. Get water ice... check! (many times over)
5. Get ice cream...  check!
6. Corn on the cob...  check!
7. Watermelon...  check!
8. Ride bikes...  check!
9. See some new kid's movies...  check!  (thanks Toy Story 3)
10. Get back to school supplies...  oops!

What does your summer bucket list look like? How'd you do this year?

Summertime Homemade Fun

This is the first post in GAP's "Homemade Fun" series.  If you would like to write an entry for this series, please use the contact button to let us know.  Homemade Fun will be GAP's storage spot for ideas that are low cost, enjoyable, and easily done close to home.

Here's our list of ideas the fab four (my nickname for the kids) like to do on a HOT day.  You'll notice sidewalk chalk plays only a minor role... my kids love it, but it is one of the messy play things I can't quite embrace.  

1. Sprinklers... if you have a hose and can get a sprinkler attachment, the simple change in how the water is distributed brings about riotous laughter.  (and it's not bad for the plants either)

2. Homemade popsicles... the dollar store and Target both have those popsicle trays for the freezer... you can make popsicles out of yogurt, juice, smoothies, etc.  If you're really feeling mean, you can throw some veggies in.

3. Neighborhood parade... break out the instruments (either real or pots n pans style) and march around the block waking up the late risers.  If you're feeling really festive, decorate the bikes and trikes to add to the procession.  

4. Painting the house... ok, maybe not really painting it, but a few dollar store paint brushes and a bucket o' water can make for a clean facade and happy kids.

5. Birdwatching... my four year old added this one to our list.  He decided to have a "bird-watching" party one day.  He and a friend taped together high powered binoculars (using toilet paper tubes) and ventured out with a real camera to capture local wildlife.  We found a robin's nest!

6. Shadow Tracings... my nemesis, sidewalk chalk, is useful here.  Who says you can't catch a shadow?  

7. Forts...  forts are the best!  Make them inside or outside... got some chairs and blankets or towels?  Then you have the makings of the perfect secret fort!

8. Water balloons... need I say more?  

9. The library... not exactly home, but close to home, air conditioned, and free!

10. Bubbles... make it scientific fun: mix up your own solution and try different household objects as bubble blowers.

Your Turn: What do you and your kids like to do to stay cool on a hot summer day?